(Food, Shelter, Medicine)

Americaís Second Harvest: Network of over 200 food banks across America, 1-800-771-2303, www.secondharvest.org.

Catholic Charities: Network of social service organizations, 1-800-919-9338, www.catholiccharitiesusa.org.

HUD: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers network of independent living centers for the disabled, network of available housing for the homeless, and home buying programs, 1-202-708-1112, www.hud.gov.

Medicine: Apply to a number of special programs offered by pharmaceutical manufacturers for free medicine to those who canít afford it, www.needymeds.com or www.phrma.org/patients.

Salvation Army: Help and support for the hungry, homeless, seniors, addicts, and disadvantaged in community centers around the world, 1-703- 684-5500, www.salvationarmy.org.

VA: U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs offers vets health benefits and services, vocational rehabilitation, employment assistance, pension and other benefits, 1-800-827-1000, www.va.gov.

Veterans of Foreign Wars: Contact a VFW service officer for assistance, 1-800-VFW-1899 (839-1899), www.vfw.org.